Empress, Can I? [Transmigration + GL] - Chapter 43

As the banquet neared its end, the ministers came to congratulate the Emperor.

Their supposedly incompetent ruler had brought them glory—both a surprise and a delight.

The divinely chosen Emperor wasn’t as useless as they thought. Though unscholarly, at least she was quick-witted and sharp.

Back in Chenyuan Palace, Xuan Jingchi’s drunkenness had faded, leaving her mind clear.

Xiao Yueli, however, was dizzy and unsteady, leaning heavily against Xuan Jingchi, her eyes barely open.

When the ministers came to toast Xuan Jingchi at the end, Xiao Yueli shielded her from many of them.

Xuan Jingchi watched with a pained heart, trying several times to drink herself, but Xiao Yueli said, “Your Majesty, you must keep your brilliant mind sharp. As the Empress, it is my duty to share your burdens.”

Seeing her so drunk, Xuan Jingchi felt both heartache and worry. She had Xiao Yueli rest in Chenyuan Palace and instructed Nuanxiang to prepare a sobering soup.

She personally helped Xiao Yueli change clothes, supported her as she lay down on the bed, and then ordered Chenxiang to fetch a basin of hot water. Wringing out a warm towel, she gently wiped away the traces of alcohol from Xiao Yueli’s face and neck before sitting by the bed to watch over her.

Chenxiang said, “Let this servant keep watch here. Your Majesty should go and rest.”

Xuan Jingchi shook her head. “This emperor will watch over the Empress.”

By the time the sobering soup arrived, Xiao Yueli was already asleep. Xuan Jingchi waved her hand. “Never mind, let the Empress sleep. All of you may leave. I will call if needed.”

Seeing that the Emperor had also been drinking, Chenxiang was uneasy about leaving them alone and was about to say something when Nuanxiang tugged at her sleeve. Understanding immediately, Chenxiang bowed, and both replied, “As you command,” before withdrawing.

In the vast bedchamber, most of the lights had been dimmed, leaving only the soft glow of candles that spread a serene and gentle ambiance.

Xuan Jingchi sat bathed in the mellow light, quietly keeping vigil by Xiao Yueli’s side.

She held the Empress’s hand, gazing at her in silence.

The Empress had a face of pure elegance, and even in sleep, she looked graceful and beautiful.

Her brows and eyes were gentle and tranquil, the candlelight casting faint shadows beneath her closed eyelids.

She resembled a delicate, understated painting.

Xuan Jingchi stared in a daze, feeling as though she could never get enough of the sight before her.

Her heart swelled with sweet joy and happiness. Were it not for the fact that she was holding the Empress’s hand at this very moment, she might not have believed that such a poetic and picturesque person belonged to her.

Perhaps she truly was chosen by the gods, blessed by heaven.

Otherwise, how could she have been granted such a perfect lover?

When Xiao Yueli awoke in the middle of the night, her throat felt unbearably dry. She stirred instinctively and murmured, “Water… water…”

In her dazed state, she heard someone rise, take a few steps, pour a cup of water, and then return.

Then she felt someone gently lift her head. “Here’s water.”

Hearing this voice, Xiao Yueli instantly opened her eyes. “Your Majesty?”

She thought it was Xiao Rong, but to her surprise, it was Xuan Jingchi. She glanced around and quickly realized they were in Chenyuan Palace.

Xiao Yueli lowered her head to drink a few sips of water before saying, “Your Majesty, why aren’t you resting? Let Nuanxiang and Chenxiang keep watch.”

Xuan Jingchi took the cup with a soft laugh and replied, “I’m not tired. I’m used to staying up late.”

She walked over to put the cup down, then turned back to tuck Xiao Yueli in, her voice gentler than the warm candlelight. “Yueli, sleep well.”

Xiao Yueli shifted inward and patted the space beside her. “Your Majesty, come rest.”

Perhaps it was the alcohol or the inherently tender nature of the night, but Xuan Jingchi found the words carried a faint, dreamy quality.

She smiled slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Alright, I’ll sleep with Yueli.”

With that, she changed clothes and got into bed.

Careful not to disturb the Empress, she deliberately kept some distance. As drowsiness crept in, she felt someone embrace her arm and gently rest their head against her shoulder.

In her half-asleep state, Xuan Jingchi’s lips curled slightly as she leaned her head over, lightly touching the other’s forehead.

Feeling her closeness, the other person nestled deeper into her embrace.

And so, they slept entwined, their breaths mingling.

The next morning, for the first time, Xuan Jingchi did not have her usual atrocious sleeping posture—and for the first time, she woke earlier than Xiao Yueli.

When Xiao Yueli rose, Nuanxiang came in to help her dress.

Even after a night’s sleep, Xiao Yueli still felt a lingering heaviness in her head.

After freshening up, the palace maids brought in breakfast.

Xiao Yueli asked, “Where is Her Majesty?”

Chen Xiang replied while setting the dishes, “Her Majesty is in the side hall, reading and writing. Your Grace, His Majesty specially instructed the kitchen to prepare millet porridge — he said it’s good for the stomach. After drinking, it’s best for you to have some light porridge.”

Xiao Yueli nodded, ate a bowl of porridge with a few side dishes, then turned and walked toward the side hall.

Pushing the door open, she found Xuan Jingchi sitting behind the desk, his head lowered, using a ruler to draw something on paper.

She walked closer and saw the page filled with circles, triangles, and various unfamiliar shapes.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

Without lifting his head, Xuan Jingchi replied, “Drawing diagrams. Writing a book.”

When Xiao Yueli heard that he was writing a book, she was surprised. She glanced again at the paper in disbelief. “What kind of book is Your Majesty writing?”

“Geometry,” Xuan Jingchi said, using the bottom of a cup to draw a perfect circle. Then he set the ruler aside and smiled. “I’m afraid that one day, Shangguan Wei might suddenly take an interest and ask to borrow such a book. So I’d better learn it myself and write one for her.”

Xiao Yueli suddenly understood and smiled. “Your Majesty is indeed thoughtful and farsighted. When the book is finished, allow your concubine to be the first to read it.”

Xuan Jingchi turned his head slightly, amused. “The Empress wants to read it? This isn’t poetry or prose, full of scenery and feeling. I’m afraid you’ll find it dull.”

Xiao Yueli laughed. “You’ve never seen me study it — how do you know I’ll find it dull?”

Then she pointed to a triangular shape. “What are these strange symbols written on the three sides?”

Xuan Jingchi looked where she was pointing — the labels “a,” “b,” and “c” marking the sides — and smiled. “Those are lowercase English letters, representing the lengths of the three sides.”

“What are English letters?”

“English letters are the script of another country. Long ago, there was a nation called the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets. Do you know why it was called that? Because it had many colonies all around the world…”